Hands-free door opener and method

• US 7,068,179 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gale Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sanidoor LLC
• Inventors: Lemerand, L. Gale, Krawczyk, Todd, Rodriguez, Rafael, Snell, Nathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US11/225,392
• Publication Number:
  US 20060087429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 287 Days
• Field of Search: 340/686.6, 340/815.4, 340/545.1, 340/944, 340/524, 340/528, 340/545.3, 340/925, 404/59, 404/60, 49/13, 49/31, 491/39, 491/40
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/483 for detection during opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/102 with rack-and-pinion transmission between driving shaft and piston within the closer housing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/224 for assisting in opening the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/214 Disengaging means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/24 using lost motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/41 for closing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/422 for opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors therefore E05Y2400/322, E05Y2400/33, E05Y2400/55, E05Y2400/56, E05Y2400/852 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/445 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/82 Images, Symbols
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/112 for restrooms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically opening a swinging restroom door is provided. The apparatus comprises an actuator, a control unit, and a power assisted drive mechanism that can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism. The actuator comprises a proximity sensor and further comprises a series of iconic symbols corresponding to predetermined proximity zones. The control unit is in electronic communication with the actuator with which signals are exchanged. The power assisted drive mechanism is in electronic communication with the control unit and can be connected to an existing door closing mechanism wherein the actions of the door closing mechanism are reversed and the door is opened.

Claims

1. A method for automatically opening a swinging door, the method comprising:

sensing a person within a proximity zone;

providing an iconic display to the person, the iconic display requesting an affirmative action from the person proximate a sensor;

actuating a power assisted drive mechanism operable with the swinging door for causing the door to open; and

opening the door as a result of the affirmative action.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing an audible signal based on the person being in the proximity zone.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the affirmative action comprises waving a hand.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the proximity zone comprises multiple zones.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the multiple proximity zones correspond to preset distances.